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science.esa.int
ESA Space Science
@science.esa.int
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Keeping you posted on space science activities from the European Space Agency.

Web: http://www.esa.int/science
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#astronomy #space #science
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science.esa.int
The avionics verification model will demonstrate the functionality and performance of the electronic & software systems.

When these two models work properly, the mission will go through the Critical Design Review and the actual flight model that will go into space will be built.

6/ #CM25 🔭
Artist impression of ESA's Ariel exoplanet satellite.
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
At the end of 2023, #ESAAriel received the go to move from the drawing board to the construction phase. 

Construction started at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse with the assembly of the structural model, which is undergoing environmental tests for launch & space conditions.

5/ #CM25 🔭
A collage of three photographs that show the assembly of the model of a spacecraft in a large white hall. The first image on the left shows the entire model, with a person next to it who is nearly equal in height. The second image on the upper right zooms in on the top part of the mock science instrument: a circular fan-like structure with a big rectangular silver box on top. The third image on the lower right focuses on the bottom of the model, which looks like a large round silver box.
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
#ESAAriel is expected to launch on an Ariane 6 in 2029. Its final destination is the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2, 1.5 million km beyond Earth in the direction away from the Sun. 

4/ #CM25 🔭
An illustration of the L2 point showing the distance between the L2 and the Earth (1.5 million km), compared to the distance between Earth and the Sun (150 million km).
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
#ESAAriel is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical make-up and atmospheric temperature profiles of hundreds of exoplanets.

It will also explore how an exoplanet’s host star shapes conditions on the planet itself.

3/ #CM25 🔭
Artist's impression of the star HD 93396 and its hot Jupiter planet, KELT-11b.
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
Through this large-scale survey #ESAAriel will help us understand the link between the characteristics of a planet & those of its parent star. 

Ariel will study exoplanets as individuals, and as groups with similar characteristics in much more detail than ever before.

2/ #CM25 🔭
Artist impression of hot gaseous exoplanets. We see five columns, each comprising of five exoplanets of different sizes and colours.
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
This finding also contributes to our understanding of space weather, something that’s long been a focus for our missions and is currently being explored by #SOHO, the Proba missions, Swarm, and #SolarOrbiter.

3/ 🔭 🧪 ☄️ ☀️
November 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
science.esa.int
The burst was powerful enough to strip away the atmosphere of any unlucky planet in its path.

This atmosphere-stripping ability is an exciting discovery for our hunt for life around other stars.

2/ 🔭 🧪 ☄️ ☀️
November 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
science.esa.int
In October 2025, engineers fitted the sunshield and solar panels, completing the construction of #ESAPlato.

The mission is on track for the final key tests to confirm that it is fit for launch on an Ariane 6, in December 2026.

4/ #CM25 #CosmicVision 🔭
A large satellite is positioned inside a brightly lit cleanroom. The sides of the satellite’s top part are wrapped in gold foil (thermal blankets); the top is covered with a blue blanket. The bottom part consists of a black boxy structure. The spacecraft is mounted on a wheeled platform; various instruments and scaffolding are visible in the foreground.
November 12, 2025 at 1:04 PM
science.esa.int
Instead of using one large mirror, #ESAPlato uses 26 cameras that combine their observations. This design reminds of insects’ compound eyes.

Each camera acquires 81.4-megapixel images resulting in two-billion-pixel images for the overall spacecraft – the most ever for a space mission. 

3/ #CM25 🔭
In the photo three people in white overalls and caps stand in front of the instrumentation in a white hall. The equipment, about twice as tall as the people in the picture, consists of a black four-stepped-platform that supports 24 cameras. These resemble cylinders flaring at the top, not unlike big ice-cream cones. Each cylinder is wrapped in black material; the top flare has a metallic finish and a white lid.
November 12, 2025 at 1:04 PM
science.esa.int
#ESAPlato will also analyse the host stars. 

Scientists hope to perform stellar seismology, gathering evidence of ‘starquakes’. 

This will tell us more about the stars' characteristics & evolution, improving our understanding of entire planetary systems.

2/ #CM25 🔭
Illustration of a planet passing in front of a star.
November 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
😂
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
science.esa.int
Any sign of Manny, Sid or Diego roaming the plains of Mars? 🧐
a squirrel is sitting on top of a cone on a snowy hill .
ALT: a squirrel is sitting on top of a cone on a snowy hill .
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:10 AM
science.esa.int
#CometInterceptor is well on track for its planned 2029 launch.

The spacecraft is currently in the building and testing stage of development.

4/ #CM25 🔭
The Structural Qualification Model of Probe B2, one of the two small probes that will detach from the main spacecraft.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
#CometInterceptor will answer questions such as:

☄️ What does a pristine comet or interstellar object look like up close?
🔎 How are they different?
🌏 What role do they play in the appearance of life on Earth?
💫 What was the early Solar System like?
🤔 Should we be worried?

3/ #CM25 🔭
Illustration showing a comet entering the Solar System.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
#CometInterceptor will be 'parked' in space before traveling to an as-yet-undiscovered comet and complete a flyby.

Its three spacecraft will perform simultaneous observations from multiple points around the comet, creating a 3D profile of the object.

2/ #CM25 🔭
Infographic showing Comet Interceptor’s journey, from launch to parking space to intercepting a comet.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
science.esa.int
Then our #ESAJuice mission — on its way to Jupiter to study its icy moons — and our future mission dedicated to Enceladus, currently under study, might be of interest to you!
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
science.esa.int
#ESAEnvision will pursue the open questions raised by #VenusExpress.

The mission will investigate the planet from its inner core all the way to its upper atmosphere 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/ieukinmdvx

4/ 🔭
Artist impression of Envision at Venus.
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
science.esa.int
#VenusExpress science highlights included:

🌀 the complexity of polar vortices
🌋 hints of current volcanic activity
🫧 first ever detection of atmospheric water loss

Read more 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/gfaumrkior 

3/ 🔭
Venus Express science highlights
A global investigation of the Venusian atmosphere
f.mtr.cool
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
science.esa.int
The #VenusExpress spacecraft was an adapted version of our Mars Express and used many of the spare instruments developed for that mission as well as for our Rosetta mission.

Its seven scientific instruments enabled scientists to dig into the secrets of the Venusian atmosphere. 

2/ 🔭
Artist's impression of Venus Express orbiting Venus.
November 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM